Sawbridgeworth Town safe, Stansted relegated and Takeley set for play-offs in Essex Senior League

Sawbridgeworth Town got themselves safe and Stansted were condemned to the drop in the Essex Senior League, Premier Division on Saturday (April 19).

The Robins came from 2-1 down to beat West Essex 3-2 at home while the Airport Army suffered a 2-0 home defeat to Ilford.

The results mean Sawbo are seven points clear of the relegation zone and Stansted are six points adrift of safety with just one game remaining.

Although the make-up of the divisions in the non-league pyramid are yet to be confirmed for next term and the number of promotions and relegations can always change, it appears Stansted are destined to be at step six for 2025-26. As it stands, they would most likely drop into the Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties League, First Division South.

Sawbo took a 14th-minute lead through Elijah Grant against West Essex at the weekend, but Zak Oliver levelled on the hour mark and Ramzi Mahmoudi put the visitors ahead in the 74th minute.

However, George Lusardi, who came through Bishop’s Stortford’s academy, equalised with eight minutes remaining before Grant netted again in the first minute of added time to seal the points for the hosts.

Stansted fell behind after only two minutes against Ilford as Nickal David Luzolo struck and the same player scored again just before half time.

The Airport Army could not get back into the contest after the interval, but, with Sawbo winning, coming back to triumph would still have made staying up virtually impossible due to the goal difference of Hullbridge Sports - the team one place above them - being vastly superior.

At the other end of the table, Takeley’s second-place finish was confirmed as Stanway Rovers claimed the title.

Takeley won 3-1 at relegated FC Clacton thanks to goals from George Powell, Olly Miles and Jack Mitchell, but table-topping Stanway got the points they needed to wrap up the championship crown by beating Athletic Newham 2-0 at home.

Takeley trail Stanway by five points ahead of the teams’ meeting at the Full Vision Stadium this Saturday (April 26) on what is the final day of the regular season. Takeley will then take on either Great Wakering Rovers or Barking in the play-off semi-finals.